WESTERN ASIATIC BRONZE MASTER OF ANIMALS SCEPTRE

Ca. 900-700 BC
A bronze sceptre features a janiform design, wherein a highly stylized anthropomorphic figure exerts firm control by grasping the long necks of flanking double-headed beasts. Notably, the lower portion of the sceptre portrays bird-like creatures, further adding to its symbolic richness. Along the length of the sceptre, an additional figure is depicted, accompanied by the hindquarters and slender legs of animals. This amalgamation of human and animal forms creates a captivating visual narrative that resonates with the culture and beliefs of the time. The bottom part of the tube exhibits decorative ribs, enhancing its visual appeal and craftsmanship. It is positioned on top of a flared support, distinguished by a serrated bottom edge, which provides stability and balance to the sceptre. Such sceptres hold great cultural and symbolic significance. They serve as expressions of power, authority, and control over the natural world. The portrayal of the anthropomorphic figure dominating and subduing mythical beasts conveys a sense of human mastery and dominance over the forces of nature. The use of double-headed beasts and the inclusion of animal elements highlight the interconnectedness between human and animal realms, possibly representing a harmonious union or the balance of opposing forces. For a similar, please see The British Museum, Registration number 1914,0214.42.
Size: L:400mm / W:90mm ; 505g
Provenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s.
Estimate: GBP 1000 - 1500